Point Break
So he (Judas) promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. Luke 22:6
Have you ever been pushed to your limit by the circumstances happening around you? So many unexpected disappointments that it put you over the edge? Maybe it was financial pressure or family trouble? Maybe politics at work or the betrayal of a close friend? Maybe it was all of these at once? One could certainly understand if you met your breaking point if your world seemed to be crumbling around you. The important thing is, what do you do next? Do you give up? Do you try to fix all the problems yourself or do you surrender them over to your Father in heaven? The decision you make at that point will either make your way established or could break and destroy all that the Lord has been doing in your life and in your heart up to that point.
In today’s reading, Judas was at his breaking point. In Marks account of this event, this happened right after a woman came to Jesus and began to anoint Him with a very extravagant gift. It was the most precious thing she had, and she poured it out on Jesus because she loved and honored Him so much. Jesus didn’t correct her, but He protected her from the scrutiny of the crowd and taught them how her gift would mark her as one who gave it all for Him. This was the final straw for Judas. It was the offense that pushed him over the edge. Judas had already betrayed the ministry by stealing from the funds, but he was no longer able to hold back the contempt he felt. I don’t know if he thought the priest would be unable to take Jesus because he had seen Jesus in tight spots before? Or if he really wanted Jesus to be brought down by the hands of men. I do know he was out for the money they offered him, but in betraying Jesus, he went further than he was ever able to come back from.
What do you think? If Judas had confessed and repented would Jesus have forgiven and cleansed him from all unrighteousness? I certainly believe so. It was a terrible thing to do, but Jesus most certainly could have restored him. However, Judas was unable to live with the shame of his actions and instead of running to Jesus, he ran aways from him and took his own life. It is one of the saddest events in the bible. One of Jesus closest and trusted friends on the outside, yet on the inside there was deception and lies.
Today I want to encourage you to examine where your breaking point is. Take a look at your life and think about what things would push you close to the edge. Imagine what your decision would be when you got to that point and consider would you run to God or away from Him? Put together an action plan that will help you to surrender all your struggles over to Him to receive His peace and solutions. You plan should start with spending time with Him each day and making it a habit to surrender your day and everything in it now when things are going well. Then you will already be in the habit of running to Him with everything and you will not be as tempted to run and hide when problems randomly come up. Next get around others that are fully surrendered and they will encourage you when you need it most. Don’t let the enemy push you over the edge when you get close, call out to Jesus and He will come and rescue you from all your troubles.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 22:1-6
1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.
2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6 So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
The Daily Dose 